The camera started recording as soon as Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu arrived on set.
Right from the start, Zhi Jiu was the first to show up. His eyes kept wandering toward the entrance of the filming area. When he finally saw Mu Fu’s figure, his face lit up with clear happiness—at that moment, the two directors knew: this footage was going to be worth every penny.
It was obvious Zhi Jiu had been waiting for her, and not just that—he was clearly the one making the first move. If his fans saw their usually cool and distant idol showing such emotion, they’d probably go crazy. Thankfully, the word was that both their fan groups were quite supportive and wouldn’t mind seeing their idols fall in love.
Their short greeting, the playful talk, and even the scenes of them coming back after makeup and wardrobe were all caught on camera. When Zhi Jiu looked at Mu Fu, the light in his eyes was impossible to fake. And when Mu Fu looked back, the unspoken connection between them practically shouted to the audience, “Come watch—we’ve got a story to tell.”
Throughout the later filming, Zhi Jiu’s eyes hardly ever left Mu Fu. Yet every time she glanced his way, he quickly looked somewhere else. It happened over and over again.
The director said, “Let’s make sure to cut this into a separate highlight reel—something that will grab attention.”
The assistant director nodded. He knew exactly what the director meant.
Given how much the production team had paid, the W company threw in a bonus: a few extra shots of Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu’s close-up moments during a commercial shoot.
In the footage, Zhi Jiu is seen holding a wooden box, slowly walking toward Mu Fu, who sits like royalty on a throne.
She glanced at him with a proud, almost scornful look. “So, this is the item you risked traveling to faraway lands to get?”
Zhi Jiu nodded. “Yes, my Queen. Please, allow me to give it to you.”
“Bring it here,” she replied coolly, clearly not impressed.
An elven assistant quickly stepped forward and took the box from Zhi Jiu’s hands, bringing it to her.
“Open it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the box opened, Mu Fu’s face changed. Her expression turned to shock—she stared at what was inside with wide, astonished eyes.
“What is this? Why does it smell even sweeter than the forest’s morning dew?”
The other elves were just as curious about the item Zhi Jiu had presented. They could faintly smell its tempting fragrance in the air, making them wonder what it was.
Just then, Zhi Jiu stepped forward and took the box back from the attendant. Since Mu Fu had already said the contents were harmless, there was no reason for him not to take it back.
Kneeling down on one knee, he looked up at her with sincere respect. “My queen, this is a national treasure from a rich kingdom in the East. The fact that I was able to get it is already very lucky. But if it pleases you… then I believe it’s worth everything.”
Mu Fu’s distant manner began to change. Slowly, she stepped down from her throne, her delicate fingers reaching into the box and lifting out a pink bottle. The moment she touched it, a bright light flashed out. Except for Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu, no one could look directly at the light. The others instinctively covered their eyes.
The High Priest gasped. “What… what is this? It’s a miracle!”
Surrounded by that divine light, Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu didn’t feel the brightness at all. Instead, a comforting warmth wrapped around them—then, in the blink of an eye, the world changed.
Mu Fu’s eyes scanned the new scenery. Her expression became deeper, more thoughtful.
They were no longer in the palace. They had been taken to a hidden paradise, a land unlike any other. All around them, brilliant pink flowers bloomed beautifully, stretching endlessly across the land like a colorful, magical carpet.
There was no danger here. Instead, there was a peaceful, caring feeling—something that felt as safe and sacred as being held in the arms of the Elven Mother herself.
She sensed Zhi Jiu coming closer.
“I like this gift,” she said softly, turning her head slightly. A smile touched her lips as their eyes met.
Originally, she had made this request simply to discourage the prince from the White Clan, hoping he would give up. But unexpectedly, he had persisted. He never gave up, and in the end, he had truly found a treasure worthy of awe.
Her gaze turned firm as she took in the breathtaking scenery. Deep inside, she had a feeling—this was a sign from the Mother Tree, gently encouraging her to say yes.
She couldn’t hide the small smile playing on her lips.
Truth be told, she was starting to find this prince interesting. Maybe she really would let him marry into her clan.
The video ended with the two of them standing side by side as the camera slowly moved outward, and the scene faded to black.
The assistant director was practically vibrating with excitement. “Director, this scene is gold!”
Even the usually calm and collected director showed signs of enthusiasm.
“This one,” he said, “we’re keeping it exactly as it is. Let it be this episode’s special surprise.”
The assistant director hesitated. “Do you think the W company will have any problems with that? Their ad hasn’t even been released yet, and we’re already showing parts of their content.”
The director waved his hand dismissively. “If W gave us that scene, it means they’ve got something else planned. Everyone has a backup plan these days.”
The assistant nodded. “That’s true.”
……
Night deepened, and the meteor shower was long over.
Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu were back inside now.
The table was still full of half-eaten dishes. Mu Fu glanced at Zhi Jiu, a look of slight annoyance in her eyes. Eating was always fun—but when it came to cleaning up, that was a different story.
Zhi Jiu smiled gently. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Let’s clean up together,” she said.
He gave her a curious look. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to?”
She turned to him with a soft expression. “I just want to be with you. I don’t feel like being alone in the room.”
There was something in her eyes—so bright, so full of life—that warmed him from the inside out. It was a quiet warmth, like sunlight melting through snow. He couldn’t help but smile.
Mu Fu studied him for a moment. She could sense that something about Zhi Jiu had changed… but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
Together, they finished tidying up the room.
Mu Fu had just finished scrubbing the grease off her hands in the bathroom when she bumped into Zhi Jiu, who had also just washed up.
He smiled gently. “Heading back up?”
She knew exactly what he meant—are you going to the stargazing room?
“I am,” she replied, then looked at him. “Are you?”
Zhi Jiu nodded with a quiet smile. “I’ll go too.”
Without needing to say more, they walked up the stairs side by side. Neither mentioned where they’d be sleeping tonight—but they both understood.
They had just finished a late-night snack, so neither was in a hurry to sleep.
The stargazing room had a sound system with a collection of music. Zhi Jiu walked over to the CDs, looking through them. They had quite a few albums by famous singers.
He turned his head slightly, a soft smile on his lips. “A-Fu, there are lots of records here—anyone you want to listen to?”
Without hesitating, Mu Fu said, “I want to hear you sing.”
Zhi Jiu blinked in surprise, then laughed quietly, clearly happy.
“There’s none of mine here,” he said with a playful shrug. “But next time, I’ll sing just for you.”
It was already late, and he’d just eaten. Even though he’d secretly brushed his teeth in the bathroom earlier, he still worried the garlic from dinner might still be on his breath.
“Okay,” Mu Fu said easily. She didn’t mind. There would be other chances—no need to rush anything.
Zhi Jiu eventually picked a gentle, calming song, perfect for relaxing at night.
When he turned around, he saw her curled up on the big soft bed, hugging her knees, watching him quietly. He couldn’t help but smile.
Mu Fu saw him standing there, smiling like an idiot. “Well? What are you doing just standing there? Come over.”
“Mm.” He responded softly and stepped forward.
There was only one blanket on the bed. When Zhi Jiu got in, he carefully pulled up a corner of it and covered himself. He was lying very close to Mu Fu—close enough to smell the delicate fragrance in her hair.
His mind drifted back to that afternoon, to the moment when they had become one. For a brief second, it felt like he was right back there, experiencing it again.
Mu Fu’s face, with a shy blush… the way she looked at him, flustered and gentle… the slight shine of sweat on her forehead from their passion…
In a flash, his body reacted.
Mu Fu turned to look at him when he didn’t say anything for a while. “What are you thinking about?”
Her bright, searching eyes made him feel like she could see right through him. His face turned bright red. Caught off guard, he stammered, “N-nothing.”
Thank goodness for the blanket—it was the only thing saving him from complete embarrassment right now.
Mu Fu tilted her head, confused. She had just asked a simple question. Why did he look so flustered?
Then something clicked.
Her eyes glanced around the room, and a playful spark appeared in them. They were sharing a bed, and knowing how innocent A-Jiu could be… well, maybe he was just overthinking things.
A sly smile touched her lips. She moved closer.
Zhi Jiu saw her move and instinctively swallowed hard. His hand gripped the blanket a little tighter as nervousness rushed through him. What if she noticed…?
When Mu Fu saw his reaction, she knew she’d guessed right.
“Why are you so far away from me?” she asked with a puzzled look, as if she had only moved closer because she thought the space between them was too big.
Zhi Jiu lowered his head, suddenly unsure. Wait… Had he imagined all of it? Maybe he had been too anxious. Were they really that far apart?
But Mu Fu wasn’t about to let him overthink things. She took the chance to lean closer, tilting her head up to look directly into his eyes.
Her lips, soft and pink, pouted just a little—like she was waiting for him to make her smile. “What are you thinking about? You’re so serious, you won’t even answer me.”
Zhi Jiu couldn’t look away from her eyes. They were clear, honest, and in that brief moment, a risky thought crossed his mind—what if he could fill that clarity with desire? His heart skipped a beat, then pounded. The idea felt almost shameful, and the blush on his cheeks deepened.
As if trying to push the thought away, he instinctively reached out and covered her eyes with his hand—like hiding her gaze would somehow hide the feelings in his own heart.
“I was just thinking about something,” he mumbled.
“What are you doing?” she protested, caught off guard by the sudden darkness. She didn’t even have time to ask him what he’d been thinking before trying to pull his hand off her face.
“A-Fu…” His voice was low and rough, thick with emotion. He didn’t move his hand.
With her sight blocked, Mu Fu could only rely on sound and touch. That single call of her name, whispered close in the dark, echoed louder in her chest than she expected. Zhi Jiu’s husky tone made her heart flutter.
She instinctively swallowed. Her mind flashed back to his passion that afternoon—and just the memory of it sent a shiver down her spine, like a soft current had run through her.
The room suddenly felt charged with tension.
Mu Fu didn’t dare move now. She was afraid—afraid that Zhi Jiu might lose control right here and now, that he might forget the camera and let his instincts take over. She trusted him, she really did… but still, she no longer dared to tease him like she had before.
“You should let go… I’m suddenly feeling sleepy. I think I’ll sleep now.”
When he realized she had gone still, he understood—she had probably sensed his physical reaction. Embarrassed, he nodded slightly, his face still red. After a moment, he remembered that she couldn’t see him. So, he quietly replied, “Mm.”
His voice was so soft that, if Mu Fu hadn’t been so close, she wouldn’t have heard it at all.
Zhi Jiu lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes. He took his hand away from her face.
The moment her eyes were free, Mu Fu immediately looked up at him. But he avoided her gaze, clearly flustered, his pale face flushed a deep red.
She couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Are you going to sleep? If you are, I’ll turn off the lights.” Her tone was casual, but she was helping him out of his embarrassment—if they kept going like this, she worried he might get even more caught up in his thoughts.
“Yeah. Sleep,” he replied quickly.
Taking that as her signal, Mu Fu turned off the lights. The switch was on her side.
Darkness gently filled the room. The moon had moved behind a cloud, leaving only faint starlight filtering in.
They lay side by side, both looking up at the scattered stars above.
The night was still, the starlight calm, and Mu Fu’s heart gradually slowed. What she’d said earlier had been an excuse—but now, real sleepiness began to wash over her.
Her eyes slowly closed.
A while later, Zhi Jiu could hear the soft rhythm of her breathing—peaceful and even.
He turned his head slightly to look at her. She was asleep.
A smile, unplanned and gentle, appeared on his face—so natural he didn’t even realize it. Just watching her sleep, everything inside him quietly calmed down.
Once he was sure she wouldn’t wake up, he got up and carefully used a towel to cover the cameras in the room.
After what happened in the villa that afternoon, the production team had forbidden them from turning off the surveillance cameras in the shared areas—but they were allowed to block them. Inside their private room, though, the cameras could be turned off while sleeping.
Double-checking that every camera was covered, Zhi Jiu slipped carefully back under the covers, the soft sound of the blanket the only noise in the dark.
He glanced at Mu Fu nervously, worried he’d woken her. But when he saw her sleeping soundly, his shoulders relaxed.
Turning onto his side, he watched her quiet face—eyes soft, completely still—until sleep gently took him too.
Axolotl Translations 
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